Lancaster – Ohio University Lancaster Assistant Professor of History Ping-Yuan Wang has been nominated by Ohio University to compete for the National Endowments for the Humanities Summer Stipend. Wang was selected as one of the two candidates from Ohio University to compete for the federal award. The selection was announced on Aug. 20.

"I feel honored that the selection committee in Athens gave me this opportunity," said Wang. "Although there is no guarantee of the award of a grant, as it is extremely competitive, being nominated to compete for a national grant is nonetheless an acknowledgement of the value of my work."

"Many regional campus faculty members are deeply involved in scholarship and research, as well as teaching," said Lancaster Dean Jim Smith. "We are thrilled that one of our faculty members has been given the opportunity by Ohio University to be recognized for her hard work."

Wang plans to expand on her dissertation by adding new material on the writings of nuns during the mid to late 17th century, focusing on three groups of nuns. Nuns were among the very few women at the time who knew how to read and write. The texts Wang examines are convent writings such as biographies, obituaries, letters and convent history and shed light on the life of the majority of nuns who endeavored to live a virtuous, humble and simplistic life. She plans to do more research in Belgium and France in the summer of 2013.

"I will now work with the Office of Research and colleagues in Athens to revise my project proposal for the final submission at the end of September," said Wang.

"We think it's wonderful that a regional campus faculty member was selected to move forward in the process. She has a heavy teaching load, but has been able to conduct outstanding research that has made her a contender for this award," said Roxanne Male-Brune, Ohio University grant development and project director. "We want our regional campus faculty to know these resources are available."

Wang is the second regional campus professor to be nominated for the NEH Summer stipend. In 2001, Ohio University Lancaster Associate Professor of English John Faulkner was nominated.However, he was not selected for the award. A decision on the whether Wang receives that National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend is expected by the end of the year.